New Waffle House likely coming to Gainesville

The Gainesville Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approving an amendment to an architectural zoning condition that would allow the diner, known for serving “Good Food Fast” 24/7/365, to open on the southwest corner of Clarks Bridge Road and Limestone Parkway.

The property was rezoned to allow for a restaurant in 2006, and Waffle House officials requested amending a condition that required a pitched roof similar to neighboring residential properties.

The proposed 1,850-square-foot Waffle House would sit on 3.21 acres and include additional parking separate from that provided by neighboring pharmacies.

Property owner Jeff Lawson is preparing to sell the site to Waffle House. He said the sale is under contract and should close in a few months. Officials with Waffle House said there is no time frame to begin construction.

Residents of an active adult community located next to the proposed Waffle House expressed concerns about noise, light pollution and increased traffic to the planning commission — but to no avail.

“My concern is it never closes,” said Linda Miller, who resides in the Clarks Bridge Corners condominiums.

Miller said her bedroom window overlooks the proposed site, and she said she’s concerned the restaurant will affect quality of life, including property values, when it opens.

Waffle House officials agreed to a series of conditions, including planting a buffer of evergreen trees between the restaurant and the residential community.

Planning commissioners said the residents’ concerns were outside their purview since the property had already been rezoned. They unanimously approved Waffle House’s amendment request, one of the final hurdles left before the restaurant can proceed with construction.

Gainesville City Council must still approve the change, and will likely take up the matter sometime in April, officials said.